MOVING ON UP

Change is big and scary and sometimes horrible but also sometimes great. I’ve been living in the West End for close to five years, and the consistent issues I have with my building have reached their peak. Today at lunch I went to look at a newer apartment (less than five years old) on the border between downtown and Yaletown. I was approved and I accepted.

I can say goodbye to hiked rent for an apartment that features, well, not a lot. And instead, I can say hello to in-suite laundry, key-fob entry, a 3,600 square-foot elite fitness centre and – best of all – a place in which I can bring home a dog! I’m nervous and excited and don’t know what to expect but I’m looking forward to what this new place may bring into my life.

That being said, does anyone have any input and advice into which dogs are most suitable for apartment living? I’m leaning more towards either a pomeranian or a scruffy chihuahua/terrier cross. While I adore big dogs, mine will need to be small enough to fit into a cloth carrier to be brought on public transit and the ferries.

28 Comments on “MOVING ON UP”

Aaaaaaaahhhh! So exciting! I can’t offer anything in the dog department..I’m a Lab lover through and through. But I’m sure whatever breed you do get you will fall in love with completely..You’ve wanted it long enough! And a gym right there on site?? You just can’t beat that either! Congrats all around Keira!

My best friend is a jack russell owner, and we also lived down the hall from a jack russell cross for a while, and I think it’s safe to say that they are VERY barky. My best friend frequently had notes from irate neighbours on her apartment door no matter where she lived, and I could hear the dog down the hall from our apartment whenever the owner was away (it made my own dog really nervous). While I love the breed and think they’re adorable, I think you might want to consider that aspect for apartmentm living . They’re also very high energy.

While shiba inus shed and don’t fit into soft carriers, they’re small and act like cats around the house – perfect energy level for an apartment. Shibas with milder temperaments also barely bark at all. Ours has barked maybe 3 times her entire life.

I don’t know much about the breed but the Yorkies, Maltese, and Shih Tzu’s that I’ve met are quite sweet.

congrats! the laundry will change your life. i can offer that you shouldn’t get a vizsla:) but really i’d offer up a daschund, although they can be about 18 pounds which is a bit heavy. i don’t have experience with the ‘toy dogs’ even sometimes i wish my puppy was a toy instead of a real dog.

I’m moving to Vancouver from Ontario in about 10 weeks. I just got a transfer for work and now I’m on the apartment hunt. I was actually looking at the west end because there are a lot of listings and it seemed like a nice area. But now that you’ve said you are moving out I’m wondering if it’s actually not. The reason I was so drawn to the area was the prices and proximity to the park and downtown. My office is in Yaletown though and I was under the impression that it was more expensive area. But in suite laundry I could live with that! Would love any advice you have as I’m going to have to pick my place from internet listings.

I lived in an apartment with a Schnauzer/Bichon Frise cross. It suited him well. and actually when we lived in a house I found that he panicked more because he felt like he couldn’t keep track of everyone in a larger space. He would run around looking for people all the time.

@Teej – There’s definitely nothing wrong with the West End. It’s a beautiful neighbourhood with sweet character buildings and a great sense of community. The only things to bear in mind are that it’s comprised of primarily older buildings (even most residential towers are between 30-40 years old) and finding an apartment with in-suite laundry in that neighbourhood is next-to-impossible.

Another difference between the West End and Yaletown is that most West End apartments are managed by management companies and pets are very, very, very rarely allowed (though sometimes cats are okay). Yaletown’s condos tend to be individually owned and run by strata councils, so your chances of finding a pet-friendly suite are a little better.

As for dog recommendations, I’m a bit biased to Shih Tzu’s. Besides being super cute and very loving, every Shih Tzu owner I know raves about how well behaved their dogs are, and how little they bark. Pomeranians on the other hand are very cute, but can be obnoxious with their barking. Whatever you choose, I’m sure the dog will bring you lots of love and happiness.

@Eva – Adopting from a shelter would be most ideal and, as anyone who reads my blog knows, I’m a huge supporter of the SPCA. A good friend of mine is a constable with the Vancouver shelter and is already keeping an eye out for me.

I have, however, accepted the fact that a shelter adoption most likely will not pan out for several reasons: 1) because of space and travel restrictions, the dog needs to be under 10 lbs. full grown and I’m told that smaller breeds aren’t common at shelters; 2) I’d prefer to raise a dog from under the age of 3 months so that I have a guiding and confident hand in how the dog is raised; and 3) many shelter dogs come with behavioral and emotional issues that break my heart. If I had the time, space and ability to commit to the rehabilitation of such a dog, I would do it in a heartbeat. But I have to be honest with myself in that my space is limited to a studio apartment and while working full time, I won’t have the realistic ability to give an abused or abandoned dog the intense one-on-one work required for rehabilitation.

That’s awesome! Congrats! Funny thing.. I think you are moving into my building (or one of them- there are two towers). I have in-suite laundry, key-fob entry, a 3,600 square-foot elite fitness centre, my building allows animals and it’s on the border between downtown and Yaletown. =)

Keira!! I wish I could have one last sit on your couch devouring mini eggs & martini’s, watch Sex and the City and “accidentally” spot the neighbors across the way that are ALWAYS having sex. It almost brings a tear to my eye to think of never seeing your apartment again! So many amazing memories!!

BUT! I am Sooo excited for you! Yay, now you can have a dog! That’s so exciting! Have you come to any conclusions? I can’t wait to visit you and your pup in your new apartment in April!

@Ashley – I know… many good memories in that apartment, but also a lot of sour memories. But at the same time, it’s kind of a shithole with a lot of things about it that I despise so much, and I’m really, really glad to be leaving.

The new place is very nice and very cool and yep, the dog is the best part! I haven’t totally decided on the breed yet, but I know the right dog will be there for me when the timing is right too.

Fresh start! What could be better?! We can make new memories! Bigger better and much more fun.

This is totally random… but between the time that I wrote my last post and this one Mike and I may have also decided to move apartments! There is a two bedroom that became avail in our building available immediately! We have been itching for more space! It has an old elevator shaft that has been made into a bedroom! I want to dance.